The Democratic-majority Senate voted 27 to 22 Tuesday to increase the state's minimum wage level to $8.75. The Senate also voted 26-23 to establish more rules to curtail alleged wage theft by employers in Iowa.

The bills now head to the Republican-led House for consideration, but it's unlikely there's enough support there to get them to Gov. Terry Branstad's desk.

Lawmakers in the House have said they would rather focus on skilled worker training opportunities instead of a minimum wage bill that raises it above its current level of $7.25. Lawmakers have also said there are other ways to prevent wage theft.